Music you've never heard….'til now! A blog of rare, hardly-heard or remembered pop, hip-hop, R&B, freestyle and dance music from the 80s and 90s. From one-hit wonders to no-hit wonders, this blog has it all!!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Genuine Parts was a freestyle\dance duo from the late 80s that consisted of members Ivette and Diley.In 1987, the duo released their first single, "Did It Feel Like Love" which peaked at #17 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #32 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart.

The duo released a few more singles such as "Show Me What To Do," "I Don't Care For You," and "Start Our Love Again," but it's unknown how well those singles did.

After that, it seemed that the group faded into obscurity. In 2007, it was announced that Genuine Parts has officially retired due to Diley and Ivette's personal commitments.

Simple Pleasure were an R&B trio from New Jersey that consisted of ex-military men Vann Holland, Gerald Drummond and Rodney Gibson.

The trio were previously stationed at the McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey & wrote songs for Queen Latifah and even starred in her music video for the song, "Fly Girl."

In 1992, the trio released their only self-titled album on Reprise Records. It's unknown how or if their album ever charted.

The first single from the album, "Where Do We Go" peaked at #25 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 18 weeks.

The follow-up single, "Never Before" peaked at #52 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks. After that, it seemed the group has faded into obscurity.

These days, Vann Holland is the owner and founder of an apparel and accessories company called Revolution Riche. It is unknown what Gerald Drummond and Rodney Gibson are up to today.To see the music video for "Where Do We Go," go to:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDTpfu0uPqc

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

After 7 is an R&B group which consists of brothers Melvin and Kevon Edmonds (yes, they are related to singer\music producer, Babyface Edmonds) and Keith Mitchell. The group hails from Indianapolis, Indiana.

In 1989, After 7 released their self-titled debut album which peaked at #35 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album "Heat of the Moment" peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100, #22 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and #5 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 18 weeks. In the U.K., the song peaked at #87 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The second single "Don't Cha Think" peaked at #25 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.

The third single from the album "Ready or Not" peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 & Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart and became the group's first number-one R&B hit, topping Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart for 2 weeks, staying on the chart for 22 weeks.

The fourth single and their biggest hit to date, "Can't Stop" peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, #23 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart, #13 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and became After 7's second number-one R&B hit, topping Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart for a week in August of 1990, staying on the chart for 20 weeks. The song also peaked at #54 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The last single from the album "My Only Woman" peaked at #36 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

After 7's debut album was certified Platinum and in 1991, the group sang the song "Nights Like This" on the "Five Heartbeats" soundtrack.

The song peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.

In 1992, After 7 released their sophomore album "Takin' My Time" which peaked at #76 on the Billboard 200 and #8 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single, "Kickin' It" peaked at #45 on the Billboard Hot 100, #21 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, #40 on Billboard's Top 40 Mainstream chart, and #6 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.

The second single from the album, "Baby I'm For Real (Natural High)" peaked at #55 on the Billboard Hot 100, #26 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, and #5 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 24 weeks.

The third single, "Can He Love U Like This" peaked at #103 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and #22 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

The last single from the album "Truly Something Special" peaked at #49 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

After 7 was featured on the "Sugar Hill" movie soundtrack with the track "Gonna Love You Right" which peaked at #15 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

They were also featured on the "Beverly Hills 90210: The College Years" soundtrack with the track "Not Enough Hours in the Night" which peaked at #56 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

In 1995, After 7 released their third album, "Reflections" which peaked at #40 on the Billboard 200 chart and #7 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "Til You Do Me Right" peaked at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100, #12 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, and #5 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 31 weeks.

The follow-up single, "Damn Thing Called Love" peaked at #109 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and #33 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 17 weeks.

The last single, "How Do You Tell the One" peaked at #60 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks. After that, the group split up and left Virgin Records due to creative differences.In 1997, After 7 released their greatest hits album which peaked at #97 on the Billboard 200 and #24 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The group released a cover version of Hall and Oates' "Sara Smile" which peaked at #31 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks before they stopped making music together.After the group went their separate ways, Kevon Edmonds released a solo album, "24\7" in 1999. The title song peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Gold.

His second album, "Who Knew" was released in 2009 on the Make Entertainment/Image Distribution record label.

Keith Mitchell was the manager for female rapper Sarai and is currently working on a gospel album, but no release date has been set or any details pertaining to the project have been heard.

Kevon and Melvin reunite occasionally. In 2006, Kevon performed at the New Jack Swing Reunion Tour with Keith Mitchell and his nephew, Jason Edmonds.

In 2007, Keith left the group and was replaced by Keith Floyd. Throughout 2007 to 2008, Kevon, Jason and Keith Floyd toured the United States as After 7.

In 2009, Keith Mitchell returned to the group. The current line-up consists of Kevon, Keith, and Jason Edmonds. It's unknown why Melvin is no longer performing with them.

Troop (stands for "Total Respect Of Other People") was an R&B group from Pasadena, California that started their career in the late-'80s.

The group consisted of childhood friends Steve Russell, Allen McNeil, Rodney Benford, Reggie Warren, and John Herreld. After winning a talent show on television, Troop signed to Atlantic Records.In 1988, the group released their self-titled debut album which peaked at #133 on the Billboard 200 chart and #19 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. The group's first single "Mamacita" was a hit, peaking at #2 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 18 weeks.

The follow-up single "My Heart" peaked at #9 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The last single from the album "Still in Love" peaked at #19 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks.

In 1989, Troop released their second album "Attitude" which peaked at #73 on the Billboard 200 chart and #5 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The group's first single "I'm Not Soupped" peaked at #19 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.

The second single from the album, "Spread My Wings" topped Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart for 2 weeks in April of 1990, staying on the chart for 21 weeks.

The third single, a cover version of the Jackson 5's song "All I Do is Think of You" peaked at #47 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a second number-one R&B hit for the group, topping Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart for a week in June of 1990, staying on the chart for 19 weeks.

The last single, "I Will Always Love You" peaked at #31 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

In 1991, Troop was featured on the single, "For the Love of Money\Living for the City" featuring Queen Latifah, which was featured on the "New Jack City" movie soundtrack which was a moderate R&B hit.
In 1992, Troop released their third album, "Deepa" which peaked at #78 on the Billboard 200 chart and #21 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "Whatever It Takes (To Make You Stay)" peaked at #63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #12 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The follow-up single, a cover version of the Deele's song, "Sweet November" peaked at #58 on the Billboard Hot 100, #25 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, and became Troop's third number-one R&B hit, topping Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart for a week, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

In 1994, the group released their fourth album, "A Little Sumpin, Sumpin" which peaked at #80 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The album didn't reach the same success as their previous ones and the only single to chart was "Do Me" which peaked at #78 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.In 1998, Troop released their fifth album, "Mayday" which peaked at #99 on Billboard's Top R&B\Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Once again, the album was unsuccessful and the only single to chart was "The Way I Parlay" that managed to peak at #65 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.

After that, the group took a break, working on various projects. In 2004, Troop reunited and began touring the United States.

They have headlined a number of shows and shared the stage with artists such as Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight, Keith Sweat, Silk, Mario, and Jon B.

In October of 2006, Troop contacted the internet radio station, The Mixx and have worked together to make the Mixx the radio home of Troop.

Steve Russell dubbed the singing voices for the 2006 movie, "Dreamgirls" and also written songs for Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks, and Jennifer Hudson.

In 2010, he released his debut solo album "So Random" from his own record label, Motel Music Media. The album is available on iTunes and Amazon.com.

Allen McNeil (now goes under the name, Mr. Al Mac) is the owner and founder of AMMG/AL MAC Media Group & AL MAC Enterprises. He has released two solo albums and is also currently auditioning for acting roles.

George Lamond (born George Garcia on February 25, 1967 in Washington, DC) is a freestyle\dance musician from the early '90s. He sang backup vocals for other musicians (especially his cousin, freestyle musician Joey Kid) before scoring a record deal with Columbia Records.

In 1989, George released his first single "Without You" which peaked at #4 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in November of 1989 and #5 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

In 1990, he released his debut album "Bad of the Heart" which peaked at #104 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The title song became George's hit song to date, peaking at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July of 1990, #5 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in June of 1990 and #4 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

The third single from the album "Look Into My Eyes" peaked at #63 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September of 1990, #4 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in October of 1990 and #6 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart. The third single "No Matter What" featuring singer Brenda K. Starr peaked at #49 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January of 1991.

The last single from the album, "Love's Contagious" peaked at #40 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

In 1992, George released his sophomore album, "In My Life" which peaked at #32 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "Where Does That Leave Love" peaked at #59 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October of 1992.

The follow-up single from the album, "Baby, I Believe You" peaked at #66 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December of 1992.

The last single from the album, "I Want You Back" peaked at #33 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in July of 1993.

During that same year, George released his third album and first Spanish-language album, "Creo En Ti" which didn't make the Billboard album charts at all.

The first single, "Baby Creo En Ti" peaked at #10 on Billboard's Latin Songs chart in February of 1993. The follow-up single, "No Morira" peaked at #15 on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart in June of 1993.

In 1999, George released his fourth album, "Entrega" which peaked at #35 on Billboard's Top Latin Albums chart and #13 on Billboard's Tropical\Salsa Albums chart.

The only single to chart was "Que Te Vas" which peaked at #23 on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart in July of 1999 and #6 on Billboard's Latin Tropical\Salsa Airplay chart.

In 2001, George released his fifth album, "GL" which peaked at #15 on Billboard's Tropical\Salsa Albums chart.

The first single released from the album, "Jurare Quererte" peaked at #20 on Billboard's Latin Tropical\Salsa Airplay chart.

The follow-up single from the album, "Volver Amar" peaked at #35 on Billboard's Latin Tropical\Salsa Airplay chart. After that, not much was heard from George and it appeared as if he faded into obscurity.In 2006, George returned to the music scene with his sixth album "Oye Mi Canto" on Sony International Records. Two years later in 2008, George released the single "What is Love" and did a cover version of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing."